Support our troops this Christmas

Branches of Co-operative Funeralcare are again accepting donations for morale-boosting care packages for the charity Support Our Soldiers.

Members of the community are being asked to spare a thought for our troops on active duty this Christmas and donate either a wrapped present, an individual Christmas pudding, individual Christmas cake or a small selection packet (not box) to cheer up the lads and lassies that will not be home for the festive season.

Regional co-ordinator Lynn O’brien said: “People have been generous over the last nine years in donating to our morale-boosting packages.

“Over the festive season many of our troops will not be home and some have little or no family contact and so we want to make Christmas Day a special day for everyone by sending out our special Christmas cheer box full of a taste of home and a present for them to open.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continued support of our charity work. The feedback from the troops who receive our boxes is always positive and they are amazed that a complete stranger takes the time to think of them, especially at the festive season.”

You may also wish to hand in a Christmas card or letter with a message of support with your donation, and these are as important as the contents themselves; by all means include your contact details if you wish to do so. Whilst the charity cannot promise a response, in most cases the recipients do write to express their thanks.

All donations may be handed into participating branches of Co-operative Funeralcare who are, once again, supporting the appeal and their details may be found on the ‘drop-off’ section of the charity website at www.supportoursoldiers. org.uk. The nearest branches are in Hamilton, Bellshill, Lanark, Strathaven, Larkhall, Motherwell, Carluke, Blantyre and Lesmahagow.

Any schools or clubs who wish to participate should contact Lynn O’brien so that an uplift may be arranged. Contact Lynn on 07871612164 also by email at stirling@ supportoursoldiers.org.uk. Closing date for donations is Friday, November 10.